Remember the days of retail therapy? Yes, once upon a time it was actually a thing. Then, life progressed. In other words, kids came along, and those casual trips to the stores became anything but stress-free.
In fact, a lot of us gave up. Well, we would be lying to suggest that shopping with the kids is ever going to be easy. Unless you happen to be frequenting the latest toy store, they can be difficult. At the same time, it doesn’t have to be impossible, and through today’s post, we will take a look at some of the best tips which can help make this shopping experience fun for everyone.
Set your expectations
First and foremost, your expectations need to be set realistically. As we have already alluded to, shopping is very rarely going to be something that the kids love to do, and this means that you can’t expect them to follow you around for the next eight hours.
However, that doesn’t mean to say that you should cancel the whole trip. You now might turn to half a day of shopping, with breaks worked in-between (more on that later). This is much more manageable for little legs and will help your plight no-end.
Try and incorporate a meal
As we have just spoken about, breaks are key when it comes to these shopping trips. They are something that can really split the day up for the kids, and a meal provides the perfect opportunity to do so.
Particularly if you are shopping around Covent Garden, there are scores of restaurants nearby which can provide a well-earned break. Not only does it give tired legs a rest, but it’s also something that can fuel everyone and get you all going for round two. Of course, if you do opt for this approach, make sure you also read up on the best ways to dine out with kids!
Make things fun
It sounds very general, but shopping doesn’t have to be a chore for the kids. There are small hacks to almost make it into a game.
For example, some parents will give their little ones a shopping list of items they need to tick off. Others will make the shopping mall into a maze, where they have to provide the directions to the shop in question. The world is your oyster in this respect, and while these tips might sound utterly simple, they can make a considerable difference to your kids’ enjoyment levels.
Make it about them as well
As we all know, parenthood changes us in many ways, and life is no longer just about us. This is something you really need to press hard on with your shopping trip. Sure, you might need a new outfit for work, but try and buy something for your little helper as well.
Or, while shopping might be the priority, what about the local park around the corner? The use of rewards can be effective with these trips, and motivate little minds to get through the day easier than ever before.
Nb. Collaborative post.
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